Mindfulness Meditation · Ritual
This week’s meditation session is led by Lavina Shamdasani and the theme is Ritual. The guided meditation begins at 16:16.
Zanabazar; Goddess of the Dawn, Marichi; Mongolia; late 17th century or early 18th century; Gilt copper alloy; 15 5/8 × 10 3/8 × 7 1/4 in.; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2005.16.26
The Buddhist goddess Marichi appears in many forms. One of her most common manifestations is as the Goddess of the Dawn, removing obstacles with her radiant light. This sculpture depicts Marichi as an attendant of the goddess Tara. She holds a vajra in her right hand and a branch of the ashoka tree in her left.
This ornate sculpture is attributed to the exceptional Mongolian artist, Zanabazar and his workshop. Zanabazar lived from 1635 until 1723. He was Mongolia’s first incarnate lama and leader of Mongolian Buddhism. He founded a sculptural style that continues to have a profound influence to this day.
Lavina Shamdasani is a certified compassion teacher through the Compassion Institute and Stanford University. She has taught programs focused on mindfulness, compassion, joy, and gratitude and led book club discussions and meditations for over five years.
Lavina studied positive psychology coaching at the Wholebeing Institute and helps clients transform their lives and meet their personal and professional goals.
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